Current-motor.



W.'C. HOWLAND.

CURRENT MOTOR.

APPLICATION HLBD FBB.1,1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

WHOwZazd @WA XM m @7am/25M gg attenua L) Patented Sept. 3, 1912.

W. Cl HGWLAND.

CURRENT MOTOR.

APPLIOATION FILED Hum. 1912.

l )1m unuIUnLnnHuIll W. G. HWLAND.

CURRENT MOTOR.' APPLIUATION FILED Imm, 1912.

5937,255. A Patented sept. 3,1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

' ,EIEJ-D. I

Applcaon filed February l, El?.

of "Wisconsin, have invenecl eermicl. useful lfnlpiovenients in Curo?.which. the following is a Vmon7 refe 'ence being had to the acl a nge.

'l' non relates to surfent motors j has ile object to provide a Simple,

lolo and. eel"ve device of'l'his character a marfinnun amount of Woninghe obtained from a minimum Juve. "lum". .er oln'ee' of the inventionreSides in vision of a, nlualty of radially Cliswffi infusi. ceeewingblades nnivelfsally conmelw. n power transmission ,Sliatj anu means forautomatically lowering and Y Said blaues successively inl-o and out foamand Simultaneously varying 7ev cal. inclination whereby the full theouu'eut is Caused to act upon lo drive the ransniiseion shaft. lieiV4on' ,el of Lelle invention le )n of a Support for the ing arme' mountedupon ".liag]a an annula guide having oppositely in "oorr'izione, andmeans carried by the :-a:-.ing xvii". means ai'i'anged upon oi the freeinoveinen. cai. plane and assist in 3 np one of alle inclined por- 'wl-1as the same emenfge from .e '1 point ol o dispose 'me Same in a ion'geo-turca novel lie present invenion; on iii-e line 2--2 of Fig.

.in on ille Vline 3-3 of end ehn/ation7 lie .olado ea'l'iyi moved; Fig.

1 lholine SM5 o l Fig. non laken on 'ine line (3-6 oi' Specification ofLetters ?atent.

i5 a diagianm -n' eralv angulalf posilnnfs 1 'eiation to illec1|i..ei1i^ an moy n.`.-.' ille water; lgt S 1e a eide elex'aii ol theblade 'farrymg arms; ifi Yleiv thefeo; Fig'. l0 is. a oi' the verhallyn1 n lng means enel-eiser, specive www of lille Fig. l2 is a similaivien' 13 is a detail perspe ve'tioally movable ruoli# an a U lll f.

hie plaie lfall the movable. plue; l 'view of one end of 'lie armeupgwn.- ina Referring in delail lo he desiguales he' rail suppolliugflios which. are lai-:l upon 'the baul; and bell ol' he Stream. Upon heeetier. 'de z rails G ae seemed upon 'en' T iS inouned, said 'l'anxe ino i8 the Wheels of which are imponen 'for movl nient upon the 'une z ils.This frame is of elongated rect-angular fo plan and includes a pluralityof i'az @Kei beams 9 and. an intermedia e longitudinal la' 1U. veicallydisposed pmvei' i' drive Shaft l1 is roia'alilj-y suitable bem-'ing 12allnntqm longiudinal beam 1G. A l1 posed table 13 is fixed upon Tesisupon `lie antiiicfon n ae lnonned upon the n: beanie 9. An oetag'onalshain eonoenti'ie 13 and Connected lier miek.

01M o i i s parallel ba Saul have nem; :www l feiner in approved .ixunei. ieiween any i: ends of ille oa `fil ne ouf-ei" 20 u; aman-ge t 23lo resolve und b0- el liars "2l a oar is iigidly fixed i'n said firstnamed bar by'nieans of a plurality of bolts 24 which are disposedthrough said bars and vri idly secure the same together. The bla es arefurther shaft 11. This track upon one side of the shaft 11 is providedwith oppositely inclined downwardly extending portions 28v and 28, theinclined portion 28 being/of greater length than the portion 28. At theapproach to the lower end. of the inclined portion 28 of this track, adownwardly curved cam portion 29 is formed therein which extends belowthe plane of the upper surface of the bed frame 7. g Each of the bladecarrying arms v19 is mountedupon a supporting truck Si), which consistsof. a metal bar 31 disposed ii spaced concentric l relation to the track26 ar, 1d exteriorly thereof. 0n one end of this bar a lateral extension32 is formed upon which the blade carrying arm rests. A roller 33 issuitably mounted upon this bar and bears upon, the inner portion 4of thesurface of the track 26. The other end of the bar 31 isdisposed at aright angle and extends over 4the annular 'track as indicated at 34. Inthis angularly disposed end of the bar a second roller 35 is mountedwhich moves upon the outer portion of the track surface.

Upon the octagonal ring 15 the vertically disposed inwardly curvedstandards 36 are mounted, said standards corresponding in number withthe blade carrying arms 19. These standards are longitudinally slottedas indicated at 37 to receive one end of a bolt 38 mounted upon each ofthe arms in the upstanding lugs 39 which are fixed to the inner ends ofthe parallel bars 21. 'This bolt is loosely disposed through these lugsand upon one end thereof a coiled spring 40 is arranged, said springbearingl at its r ends 'against a head on the end of the bolt y and oneof the lugs 39'. By loosely mounting the blade carrying arms upon theframe 15 in this man-ner, it will be seen that they 'may move freelythereon in a vertical plane,

and may also be angularlyfdisposed with relation to the transverse axisof the drive shaft 11. A beveled gear 41 is fixed upon the lowerend ofthe shaft 11 and meshes with the teeth. of a pinion 42 which is securedupon the end of a power shaft 43 mounted in suitable bearings 44 on theunder side of the bed frame 7. This shaft transmits the power from theshaft 14 to the machine which it is desired to operate, any approvedcoupling or connecting means between said shaft and the machine beingemployed.

As-thus far described, the Operation of my improved motor issubstantially as fola slight angle from the shaft 11, said bladesbeing-also disposedat a slight transverse inclination toward' the cables25 which connect the same with the frame 15.

, Referring now more particularly to Fi 7, A indicates the position ofthe bla e when the arm reaches the end of the decline; 28 in the track26. It will be noted that the blade is angularly dis osed toward thestrengthening wire or'ca le 25. This angulardisposition of the blade iscaused by the roller or wheel.35 of the arm supporting f truck beingdisposed upon the decline of ar# f the track. The blades are preferaranged in the bars 20 with their major porl tions depending below saidbars so tha't substantially the entire surface of the blade'is presentedacross ,the current of the stream, and the force of said current actingupon the blade tends to move the same downwardly as Well as to push theblade through the water. Thus when the roller 35 reaches the footi-fofthe decline 28 of the track, this angular position of the blade isdecreased until the same is disposed at substantially right angles tothe direction of the current as indicated at B. As the roller or wheel35 moves into the camportion 29 of the track, the angle of the blade ischanged so that it slants away from the cable 25, and the pressure ofthe'water has a tendency to raise the blade and thereby assist in' itsmovement up the inclined portion 28 of the annular track. When the bladereaches the top of this incline it is disposed as shown at C wherein-theangle of the blade is reversed to that shown at A. This latterangularposition of the blade is caused by the roller or wheel 35 on the arm'-1being at the foot of the incline 28 of the annular track while the otherof said rollers is at the top thereof. As the lower roller graduallyascends the incline the .anffle of lthis blade is correspondinglylessened7 lsaid roller reaches the top of the incline the angle of theblade is again reversed so that it inclines toward the cable 25. `rlhecoiled springs 40 on the rods 38 being placed under and when y peacompression as the arms move down the decline Q8 in the track, act toaccelerate the movement of the arms up the incline 2S thereof. By thuschanging the transverse angular positions ofthe blades, the strength ofthe current of thf stream is utilized to its fullest extent whereiirv amaximum of working power is derived therefrom.

Inraddition to the foregoing l have also devised means whereby thedevice may be easily and quickly rendered inoperative. This meansconsists of a longitudinally dis-l posed shaft 45 having a hand wheell?) on one endand a Worm e7 on its other end. This ivorin meshes withthe teeth of a Worm gear 48 secured upon a transverse shaft 49 which ismounted in suitable bearings upon the longitudinalside bars of the bedframe 7. Upon each end of this transverse shaft a cog 5l is secured, andhese cogs mesh with the vertically disposed rack bars 52 pivoted to theends of' a plate 53 which is arranged Within the annular track 26 and inconcentric relation thereto. rllhe rack bars 52 are movable `throughguide members 54 which arranged upon the longitudinal bars of ine frame7. A rack bar 55 supports the central portion 'of the curved plate 53which rests upon a roller 55 on the'upper end of said rack bar. A shortlongitudinally disposed shaft 56 is iounted upon the frame 7 and carriesa cog 7 to mesh With the teeth of the rack bar 55.`

,P pinion 58 is fixed on the inner end of this shaft and engages withthe teeth of a bevbe bvious that when the shaft 49 is ro- ?"ited therack bars 52 will be raised to ele- 7 vate the ends of the curved plate53.

' lllirougli the medium of the gearing 57, 58 and 59, the rack bar 55 isalso raised rbut to a greater extent than the bars 52 whereby thecentral portion of the plate 53 is eleafbove the plane of the endportions 'lt consequently follows that in the inovianent or the bladecarrying arms as they approach the Water, they will be graduallyelevated after moving off of the highest portion ofthe track 26 and asthe centrai portion of said plate 53 is elevated to the plane of thehorizontal portion of the trackj the blades will be maintained out ofContact with the Water until the arms come to a full stop.

' From the foregoing it is thought that the construction and operationof my improved current motor will'be fully understood. By means of theconstruction and arrangement of parts above described, a maximum ofpower 'may be obtained from a current having small. impellin-g force andthe full power of the current utilized. -By providing the bracing cables25 for the blades, most of the strain devolves upon said cables and theframe .bility of brealiage point of connection t the cari lt will ofcourse oci/ions that i er or less number of t arms and blade or paddlesmay be provi ed than l have illustrated in the accoinpanvine drawings ltWill also be understood t iat the invention is susceptible of a greatmany minor modiiications in the forni, proportion :in-:l arrangement ofthe parts Without uiting from the essential feature or safriiunig an ofthe advantages thereof. i

Having thus described the invention what is claimed isf-- l. ln a.current via ft, ra-

to said r lually va` f iianes as they are 'the water by the current.nioton a drive shaft, ra-

eonnected to said e same.y and means mrtically during a portion of eachof said shaft, and simultaneously dispos the blades in 'verticallyinclinedplanes uith relation to the current.

3. In a current motor, a drive shaft, radially disposed blades connectedto said drive shaft to rotate the saine, and means for successivelydisposing `said blades longitudinally and vertically inclined planesduring the intermediate portion of their ino-vement through the Water.

ln current motor,- adrive shaft, r dially disposed blades connected tosaro shaft for univ l movement, means rigidly ii d on the shaft andconnected to the battles whereby the shaft is rotated, means forsuccessively lowering and raising tinL blades during a portion of eachrevolution of the shaftand simultaneously moving the blades to disposethe same in longitudinal i impeded tl g ln a cnrren dially oisposeddrive shaft to r for moving said i.

to said shaft and automatically reversing the transverse inclinationthereof as the blades are lowered and raised respectively.

ln a current motor, a.. drive shaft. r diall y disposed blade carryingarias rcnnerf ed to said shaft for universal movement. a supportingtrack for the arms 'ivher .rn said arms are normally disposed upwardlyat an inclination to the shaft supportii for said arms movable on thetrack having opoositely inclined lower and raise the blade i Y alsodispose the sau in traowose intiin i.. Planes, the nur-:eine f thetrucks from one of the inclined porti of the iraclc onto the' otherinclined portion.autom. ticallv reversing suoli transverse inclinationof blades.

(l. ln a current motor, a drive sha' trucks` y i and inea nsandtransverse inclined planes with relation dially disposed blade carryingarms connected to said shaft at their inner ends for uni versalmovement-a horizontally' disposed.

track to support the arms in upwardly in- 5 clined positions withrelation tothe shaft, supporting trucks for the arms movable on saidtrack, said track having oppositely inclineddownwardly extendingportions on one side of the shaft, the movement of the supporting trucksupon said inclined portions successively lowering and raising the bladecarrying arms in each revolution of the shaft to vary their longitudinalinclination with relation thereto and simultaneously dispose the bladesin transverse inclined planes, said track having a cam portion vtoreceive the arm sup orting trucks whereby the transverse inclination ofthe blades is automatically reversed as the arms ascend one of theJinclined portionsof the track.

7 In a current motor, a drive shaft, radially disposed blade carryingarms, universal connections between sald arms and the shaft, a framerigidly mounted on the shaft, means connecting said arms to theframewhereby the shaft is rotated, a horizo'ntally disposed supportingtrack for the arms, said track having oppositely inclined,

downwardly extending portions on vone side of the shaft, the movement ofsaid arms upon the inclined portions of the track successivelv loweringand raising the blades4 into andI out of the water, and-means carried bythe arms for accelerating their movement up one of the inclined portionsof t-he track and upon the horizontally disposed portion thereof. Y

8. In a current motor, a drive shaft, ra-

dially disposed arms, blades fixed in the outer ends of said arms,universal connections between t-he inner ends of said arms and theshaft, a frame fixed on the shaft, vertical guide members for the armsmounted on the frame, a track supporting said arms for circularmovement, supporting trucks for the arms movable on said track, and acam portion in the track to receive said trucks whereby the blades areautomatica-lly disposed in transverse inclined' planes. v

9. In a current motor, a drive shaft, radially disposed arms, blades onthe outer ends of said arms, universal connections between the innerends of the arms and said shaft, vertical guide members for the armsmovable with the shaft, a horizontally disposed track, supporting trucksfor the armsy movable on the track, said track having oppositely anddownwardly inclined portions on one side of the shaft, the movement ofsaid trucks upon the respective inclined portions of the track loweringand raising the blades into and out of the water and simultaneouslydisposing the same in relatively tions of the trackand upon thehorizontal opposite transverse inclined planes, and means carried by thearms to accelerate their movement up one of the inclined portions of thetrack and upon the horizontal portion thereof. 70

l0. In a current motor, a drive shaft, radially disposed arms, bladesfixed in the vouter ends of said arms, universal connections between theinner ends of the arms and said shaft, a frame rigidl mounted on the 75shaft, vertical guide mem ers for the arms fixed u on the frame, anannular supporting track or the arms having oppositely and downwardlyinclined portions on one side of the shaft, the movement of the armsupon 30 the respective inclined portions of the track successivelylowering and raising the blades into and out of the water, and trusscables connected to said frame and to said blades.

11. In a current motor, a drive shaft, radially disposed arms, bladesfixed in the outer ends of said arms, universal connections between theinner ends of the arms and said shaft, a frame rigidly mounted on theshaft, vertical standards fixed upon the frame having longitudinal slotstherein, bolt-s loosely mounted upon the armsand disposed for movementin said slots, a horizontal track having oppositely and downwardlyinclinedl portions upon one side of said shaft, trucks supporting thearms for movement on said track, the movement of the trucks upon therespective inclined portions of the track successively lowering andraisingthe blades into and out of the water', 100 and coiled springsmounted on the bolts carried by said arms to .ccelerate the movement ofthe arms up one of the inclined porportion thereof.

12. In a current motor, a drive shaft, -radially disposed arms havingblades fixed in their outer ends, universal connections betweenthe innerends of said blades and the shaft, an annularsupporting track for saidarms having inclined portions upon one side of said shaft whereby theblades are lowered and raised into and out of the water, and manuallyoperable means arranged beneath the arms to engage and support saidblade carrying arms out of engagement, with the inclined portions of thetrack whereby the blades are maintained in their'elevated positions.

13. In a current'motor, a drive shaft, ra- 120 dially disposed armshaving blades fixed in their outer ends, universal connections betweenthe inner ends of said blades and the shaft,l an annular supportingtrack for said arms having inclined portions upon one side of said shaftywhereby the blades are lowered and raised into and out of the water, avertically movable plate arranged in concen- 'tric relation to the trackbeneath the arms, ,and manually operable means to raise said 13o trackand beneath the arms, and manually operable means for-raising thecentral portion of said plate to lthe plane of the horizontal portion ofthe track whereby the arms are supported o of the inclined portions ofthe track and the blades ,maintained in` position above the water in thecircular rmovement of the arms.

1f ,lf/l5. In a current motor, a drive shaft, ra-

dially disposed arins having blades fixed in their outer ends, universalconnections between the 'inner ends of/said blades and the shaft,anannular supporting track for said arms having inclined portions u onone sid'e of said shaft whereby the .bla es are low- 'ered and raisedinto and out of the water, a platearranged inconcentric relation to thetrackand adjacent the inclined portions thereof, a vertical rack barp'ivoted to each Aend of said plate, guides for said rack bars,

manually operable means co-acting with said rack bars to raise theendportions of the plate, vand additional means to simultaneously raise.the central portion of said plate and to a greater extent than the endportions thereof whereby the arms are elevated and the blades carried'thereby maintained in position above the water in the circular movementof the arms.

16. In a current motor, a drive shaft, ra-

dially disposed arms having blades liXed in their outer ends, vuniversalconnections between the inner ends of said blades and the shaft, anannular supporting track for said arms having inclined portions upon oneside of said shaft whereby the blades are lowered and raised into andout of thewater, a plate arranged in concentric relation to said trackand adjacent the inclined portions. thereof, vertical rack barspivoted-to the endsl of said plateguide members for said rack bars, arack bar supporting the central portion of said plate, and manuallyoperabley means co-acting with said rack barsto raise said plate to theplane of the horizontal portion ofthe track whereby the arms aresupported olf of the inclined portions of the track andthe bladesmaintained in posi' tion above the water in t-he circular movement ofsaid arms.

I'n testimony whereof I hereunto aiiix my signature in the presence oftwo witne as.,V y WINFRED C. HOWLA'DI Witnesses: v t

FRED'C. WAERZKE, FRANK SELL.

'Copies of this patent may be obtained for ivo oen'cl each, Byaddressing the Commissioner of Patents,

- Washington, D. G.

